JERSEY CITY — State Sen. Sandra Cunningham and U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez standing in the same room?
Sounds like political blasphemy in Hudson County but yes, they were on the same boat Thursday night when Cunningham held her $500/ticket fundraiser on the yacht Valiant, docked near Liberty State Park in Jersey City..
The fundraiser, co-hosted by State Senators Richard Codey, Ray Lesniak and Stephen Sweeney, and former U.S. Senator Robert Torricelli, featured the two politicos who have been at odds for the past seven years. Cunningham’s husband, former Jersey City Mayor Glenn Cunningham and Menendez were political enemies before Cunningham’s death in May 2004 as the two men battled for control of the Hudson County Democratic Organization.
According to an attendee, Menendez arrived late for the event but as soon as arrived, he could be seen greeting Cunningham warmly. About 70 people were in attendance including Mayor Jerramiah Healy, Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer, Bayonne Mayor Mark Smith and Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise.
Ironically, the fundraiser was held on her late husband’s birthday and allowed for her to celebrate both their birthdays. A cake for both their birthdays was prepared by Carlos Bakery of Hoboken. – RK